A dazzling combination of bustling city centers harmonizing the old and new, immaculate scenic escapes of emerald rice paddies, misty mountains, and limestone pinnacles emerging from turquoise waters, Vietnam is a topographical marvel. Traveling between the north and south, each region of the country offers a unique experience with influences from Asian neighbors, bygone eras, a trying history, and modern embraces.
Beginning in the South, Ho Chi Minh City  (aka Saigon), marks the epicenter of modern innovation with an blend of ancient and contemporary traditions found in the city’s art, music, cuisine, and nightlife. Just south is the Mekong Delta, a labyrinth of bustling floating markets and farms that feed the nation. In the central region you will find Hoi An, an enchanting coastal community with a delicate Old Town of wooden homes, grand architecture, and a maze of streets. Also worth a visit is  Hue, a city of history whose architecture is a nod to the Nguyen dynasty with a citadel of elaborate palaces and temples. Proceeding north, the mountainous region of Sapa represents many of Vietnam’s diverse ethnicities and serves as a gateway to beautiful hiking trails while Halong Bay offers a beguiling scene of limestone pinnacles piercing through the sea, creating a jungle of stunning silhouettes perfect for serene cruises. In the center of these landscapes is Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, gracefully merging eastern and western traditions in its preservation of ancient temples and French colonial architecture. With so many diverse regions and highlights, the country demands more than a few days to truly inhale its beauty.